Posts Tagged ‘Nutrition’

Aunt Henrietta enjoys her independent life at 90. Especially when compared to how she was 4 years ago!

I visited her while out east for NOF. She easily walked the 3 blocks to and from church. She led the procession up and down every aisle in the huge Shoprite and the Rite-Aid, while stocking up on provisions for the month. She even strolled more than 1/4 mile across the Delaware River pedestrian bridge.

She lives alone in a 2 story house. I am not happy about the stairs, but she does not fall too often, and has not broken anything in 4 years.

Before Aunt Henrietta started treating her osteoporosis aggressively, she was rightfully terrified to do anything. She was talking about dying in her house. She had broken one wrist, then the other wrist, then her shoulder, in 3 separate falls. Her plight and response has been an inspiration in my efforts for bone health.

She started Adora Chocolates (she loves dark) for Calcium, then added high dose Vitamin D. I harrassed her into eating more protein. But when she fell, she broke. Her Quality of life was in the Dumpster. Time for drastic action!

I talked her into the Anabolic, Forteo. She failthfully gave herself a shot every day for 2 years. Because of her aging kidneys, I followed with Prolia. She has worked hard on proper nutrition. She was determined to regain her Independence. She succeeded.

Aunt Henrietta resurrected her Quality of Life. She is stronger, more active, stubbornly Independent, and Fracture Free! At age 90, that is everything.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) saw major changes at last week’s annual meeting, ISO15. I will present them in detail over the next few blogs.

First, the number of Orthopedic Surgeons has skyrocketed into the most numerous specialty attending the meeting. Orthopods are becoming more involved. This has to be good for preventing second and third fractures.

The major emphasis of the NOF meeting was on Fractures; what they do to their victims, and how we can prevent the suffering they cause.

NOF has joined IOF and NBHA in promoting Fracture Liaison Services (FLS). FLS can be key in identifying persons with fractures, with a high risk of future fractures, and the opportunity to prevent further fractures.

The role of nutrition in building and preserving good bone health received increased attention.

We discussed the places of the various available medications in increasing bone strength and preventing fractures. Changes are coming as we get more options with new and different actions.

NP Katie and I learned a lot. Preventing fractures is becoming easier.

Every patient visit is teaching Bone Health. Proper nutrition with Calcium, Vitamin D3, Protein, Multiple Vitamins& Minerals. Balance, Exercises, and Fall Prevention. Not just the patient, but the whole family.

We also teach other medical providers. Often we host Nurse Practitioner students from Allen College. Katie Bries, ARNP, taught the Bone Health section at the Allen College NP Residency Program last week. Earlier, I taught the Podiatry residents and staff at their morning conference.

We teach the public too. Kate, our nurse, presents to community groups. We are participating in the Scheels Health Fair on Thursday.

Teaching patients and others how to Prevent Fractures and Prevent Osteoporosis is our favorite. Treating Osteoporosis is important, but less fun for all concerned. Learn how to Prevent Fractures and Prevent Osteoporosis.

Several patients have called us in panic because their friends told them that HyperParathyroidism means Surgery. We reassured them that Surgery is almost never needed in HyperParathyroidism. But we do need to treat it to preserve or restore Bone Health.

Our clinic sees a new case of HyperParathyroidism almost daily. Only one or two a year actually need surgery. How do we cure all the others? Calcium and Vitamin D3 are the key, as long as you take enough.

Most of what we see is Secondary HyperParathyroidism. That is the Parathyroid glands doing their job. Their job is to keep sufficient Calcium in the blood. They steal it from the bones if not enough is absorbed in diet and supplements. Too low a Vitamin D level prevents Calcium absorption.

Sometimes secondary hyperparathyroidism goes on for so long that the glands “reset their thermostat too high”. This is Tertiary HyperParathyroidism and is successfully treated with Calcium, Vitamin D3, Protein, and Multiple Vitamins & Minerals over many months.

Primary Hyperparathyroidism is that rare case where a parathyroid gland goes out of control. It becomes a tumor (not a cancer) putting out too much PTH hormone and steals calcium from bone until it is removed.